ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Bill Supper, a two-term former president and longtime Executive Director of the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America (BBIA) passed away on June 20 from cancer. He was 77.
Once a competitive bowler, Bill began a lifelong career working within the bowling community when he was hired as the East Coast Sales Representative for Ebonite International in 1980. He stayed with Ebonite for 16 years before joining Bill Chrisman at Storm. Four years later, he moved to Texas to be near his grandchildren. After a short stint with Columbia Industries in San Antonio, Supper moved to the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, where he transitioned from manufacturing to association leadership. He was hired by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and was promoted to Deputy Executive Director serving under John Berglund.
In 2009, Bill left the BPAA to become the Executive Director of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. While at the museum, Supper played an important role in the building of the brand- new, state-of-the-art Hall of Fame and Museum located within the campus. Having successfully opened the museum, he left the IBM/HF and became the Executive Director of BBIA and the International Bowling Pro Shop & Instructors Association, positions that he held concurrently until retiring from IBPSIA two years ago so that he could devote his full energy to BBIA.
“We are devasted by the loss of Bill,” said BBIA President Brian Graham. “He served the organization honorably and faithfully since 2010. The bowling community lost one of the industry’s most accomplished executives who excelled in both the for-profit and non-profit environments.”
In recognition of Supper’s impact to bowling, BBIA honored Bill in providing him with the BBIA Industry Service Award in 2020. Bill also received IBPSIA’s President Award in 2009 and the Bill Bunetta Lighthouse Award in 2021. Bill leaves behind his wife Joanne, two children, Billy and Alice, and seven grandchildren.
